JEREMIAH Gray became an unlikely hero, draining the go-ahead three with 17.8 seconds left, giving Barangay Ginebra a 114-111 win over NLEX on Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra vs NLEX recap
Gray hit the three from the left corner, receiving a pass from Justin Brownlee off an offensive rebound by Jamie Malonzo, to help Ginebra regain the lead, 112-111, after trailing by as many as 12 points early in the fourth.
Brownlee later settled the final score with two free throws with 3.1 seconds left. Wayne Selden missed a three to end the game.
Ginebra, which also got an unexpected boost from seldom-used Raymond Aguilar, improved to 2-0 while also spoiling the debut of Selden who had 43 points in the contest, while handing NLEX its first defeat after five games.
Brownlee also had a huge game, finishing with 44 points and 16 rebounds for Barangay Ginebra. Gray had 19 points, while Scottie Thompson had 12 points and 10 assists in the grind-out win.
Ginebra was actually shorthanded with Christian Standhardinger missing the game due to a knee injury. Japeth Aguilar was also ruled out later in the game due to a knee injury as well, allowing Raymond Aguilar to play eight minutes where he grabbed five rebounds.
“We were coming off a really tough conference and we didn’t really have much time to get into condition. It’s almost expected that you’ll go through this times were guys are going to be a little beat up,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
NLEX fell to its first defeat after switching imports with Jonathon Simmons accepting an offer to play in China. Kevin Alas had 22 points including a three that gave NLEX a 111-109 lead with 37.3 seconds left only for Gray to respond.
The Road Warriors were even up, 100-88, but still squandered the lead.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 114 – Brownlee 44, Gray 19, Thompson 12, Pringle 10, Malonzo 9, J. Aguilar 9, Pinto 8, Tenorio 3, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0, Mariano 0.
NLEX 111 – Selden Jr. 43, Alas 22, Ganuelas-Rosser 19, Rosales 10, Semerad 6, Trollano 6, Gabo 3, Anthony 2, Doliguez 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 28-15; 55-59; 84-92; 114-111.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
